House panel approves Meeksbill to modernize shielded outdoor lighting, adds exemptions and rate-language

Representative Reginald Meeks, sponsor of the bill to update Arkansasshielded outdoor lighting law, told the House Insurance & Commerce Committee that the measure would modernize a 1990s-era statute by specifying fixture shielding, illumination standards from the Illuminating Engineering Society and color-temperature limits for different street classes.

The legislation, presented as two companion measures (one modernizing language and one repealing outdated provisions), would apply to Entergy Arkansas when it installs new street-lighting systems, Meeks said, and include three main requirements: use fully shielded fixtures, meet IES illumination standards, and set color temperature to 4,000 Kelvin or below on primary thoroughfares and 3,000 Kelvin in residential areas.

Meeks said the goal is to reduce light pollution, increase energy efficiency and adopt practices he said have public-health benefits, pointing to studies linking nighttime blue light to sleep disruptions and to long-term risks. "We're not asking to replace everything overnight," Meeks said. "We're saying when you install brand-new equipment, do it right."

Committee members pressed Meeks and Entergy officials on costs and implementation. John Bethel, director of public affairs for Entergy Arkansas, told the committee Entergy would identify compliant fixtures, build rates for them, and submit proposals to the Arkansas Public Service Commission for recovery of costs. Bethel said LED fixtures generally carry higher upfront costs but longer lifespans and lower maintenance that often yield net savings over time.

Representative McGrew and others asked whether municipalities and businesses would face new charges. Meeks and Bethel said the bill targets new municipal installations and does not require immediate replacement of existing fixtures; businesses retain discretion over private lighting. Meeks also said the measure allows local ordinances to exempt projects where local needs differ.

The bill includes exemptions for historic properties, sports facilities, monuments, bridge lighting, correctional and mental-health facilities, and allows local governments to adopt an ordinance exempting a project that cannot meet the standard because of local needs. Meeks said the municipal and co-op utilities are removed from the statute and the bill primarily applies to Entergy.

After more than an hour of questions and discussion that ranged from criminal-deterrence research to utility rates, the committee adopted an amendment to add a Senate sponsor and then passed the bills on a voice vote. Representative Meeks closed by urging support and thanking committee members for questions and debate.

Votes at a glance: Motion to pass as amended — approved by voice vote.

Ending: The legislation now moves to the next House floor step; Entergy and local governments will continue to examine fixture specifications and rate treatment during the Public Service Commission process.